6L80e Torque Converter Upgrade?

Hexa Fox · April 6, 2025

Hey guys,

So a lot of you already know I plan to delete the AFM and upgrade the torque converter in my truck. I also guess I would be upgrading the oil pump while I am doing the AFM delete. I am having trouble with the transmission now, already got the thermal bypass valve swapped out with the 150f from the service bulletin but it still shifts rough. I mainly want to do these things to the truck for preventative maintenance. Having that said, in my other thread guys recommended I just pull the engine so I can do it all and change the torque converter out while I am there. This is obviously the most efficient route to just get it all done but it is also the most work.

I have never pulled a transmission or engine before but I am starting to consider just pulling the transmission, upgrading the converter and doing a simple fluid + filter change. I have heard people say that this has fixed their rough shifting/hesitation issues as well. I am still considering waiting until I have a better opportunity and just trying to pull the engine and do it all at once but I feel like that could completely overwhelm me. I have also heard that the L83 is a pain in the @$$ to pull because of things like sensors and wire harnesses too. Overall I am considering just getting the torque converter out for now and being happy. The truck only has 36K miles and like I said preventative maintenance is my main goal right now. Anyway,

1.) I have seen a lot of people recommend the Circle D converters but have seen some people recommend other GM ones that are much cheaper and great options for this transmission. Is there a thread or guide or something where I can learn more or others you guys can recommend? I think I saw someone on a thread say they swapped theirs with one that was a 300mm that come off a Cadillac for a couple hundred bucks or something.

2.) I have an awesome set of ramps I am guessing it would be difficult to use to take out the transmission? Because it would come down at an angle unless I jack up the rear of the truck to be level?

3.) You guys told me I should consider tuning the new converter to prevent it from stalling all together or maybe vice versa? I cannot remember, is this something I can figure out in my driveway after the new transmission is installed? Can I potentially just drive it somewhere and have it done afterwards?